Arsenal plot audacious swoop for Chelsea whizkid Nathaniel Chalobah

Nathaniel Chalobah has starred for promotion-chasing Watford during a loan spell this season

Chelsea are sure to fight tooth and nail to keep hold of one of their hottest prospects

Chalobah, 18, has starred for Gianfranco Zola's promotion-chasing Watford during his loan spell this season.

But Chalobah, who can play in central defence or midfield, faces a fight to force his way into the Blues¹ first team when he returns to Stamford Bridge with a host of big names ahead of him in the pecking order.

Arsenal fancy their chances of exploiting the situation and tempting Chalobah to make a shock switch across London by offering to fast-track him into their first-team.

The highly-rated England Under-21 international would be another addition to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger¹s British core.

But Chelsea are sure to fight tooth and nail to keep hold of one of their hottest prospects.

Sierra Leone-born Chalobah has been with Chelsea since his early teens and his current contract expires next summer.

He is also tipped to have a bright international future having played over 50 times for England at youth level, often as captain.

Chalobah was named England¹s Youth Player of the Year at the inaugural FA England Awards earlier this month.

The teen starlet has broken into Stuart Pearce¹s Under-21s this season thanks to his Watford form.